BASEBALL

Angels Blank Red Sox

Dodgers, Rockies also emerge with playoff wins.

Bounced from the playoffs three times in the last five years by rival Boston, the Anaheim Angels opened their playoff series with a commanding victory 5-0 over the Red Sox led by pitcher John Lackey. Torii Hunter hit a three-run home run in the series opener and rounded the bases with such vigor that he nearly lapped teammate Bobby Abreu. In nearby Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles grinded out a 3-2 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals to go up 2-0 in the series thanks to a ninth inning error by Matt Holliday, who blew a catch with two outs that would have ended the game. The Colorado Rockies evened their series with a strong performance against Phillies ace Cole Hamels en route to a 5-4 win.